Aberdeen, Washington to celebrate annual Kurt Cobain Day

Nirvana frontman's birthday to marked in former hometown following similar move by neighbouring city

The city of Aberdeen, Washington, will officially celebrate its famous son Kurt Cobain every year on February 20, the late Nirvana frontman’s birthday.

The news was confirmed yesterday (January 23) by local radio station KXRO following a proclamation raised by Mayor Bill Simpson at a city council meeting on Wednesday (January 20).

The proclamation reads: “Aberdeen residents may justifiably take pride in the role our community played in the life of Kurt Cobain and the international recognition our community has gained from its connections with Kurt Cobain and his artistic achievements.”

It gives special recognition to the efforts of the Aberdeen Museum, Tori Kovach, Denny Jackson, Randi Hubbard, and other volunteers who have worked to recognize Kurt locally.

Plans for the day are not set, and Simpson said it is possible that the event could turn into a week-long celebration of Cobain. The event will be annual, with each February 20 being recognised as Kurt Cobain Day. The full proclamation will be read aloud on February 12.

The move follows a bid from neighbouring town Hoquiam to celebrate Nirvana Day on April 10 this year, when the band are being inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Cobain was born and raised in Aberdeen, but did briefly live in Hoquiam. Appearing on local radio station KXRO, Mayor Jack Durney said: “They bring great honor, I think as I say, to our entire community. And I think that it’s good Kurt Cobain lived in Hoquiam for a little while, but he and Krist Novoselic are part of our community, and I think it’s good to honor our sons and their great accomplishments.”